Talks

At The Arts Institute

Is a genius born or made? Where did the idea of 'the artist' originate? What is the impact of the Cold War on British culture? What was the experience of war actually like?

From world history to art, culture and science, our all year round talks programme offers you the opportunity to engage with world-renowned specialists and researchers, who are providing new insight and perspectives into contemporary culture, society and history.

Explorations season at The Arts Institute

This season we have shaped our programme around the theme of Explorations, an apt subject given that Plymouth is Britain's Ocean City, where many an epic journey first began. With such a rich history and expertise at out finger tips, we have looked at notions of exploration from many different angles.

From explorations of creativity within music, looking specifically at Beethoven's artistic leaps of innovation as presented by Dr Robert Taub and a special performance by the London Mozart Players, to quieter more personal journeys that change the way we observe the world in which we live, as seen through the eye of photographer Jem Southam in the exhibition 'Birds, Rocks, Rivers, Islands'.

The thirst for knowledge and understanding often provide the first impetus for exploring, and whether ground breaking or taking baby steps, exploration is without a doubt an essential part of being human.